The staff of Hampton-Moreno-Dugat Early Childhood Center would like to thank the Joe Barnhart Foundation for awarding the One School One Book grant again this year. One Book One School (OBOS) is a program that, under the direction of Elementary Librarian Melissa Hughes, began in 2012. It provides the opportunity for students to have their own copy of a book that the entire school reads together at a set day and time. This will hopefully lead to the building of a home library and spark interest in literacy at a young age.

The book chosen this year was Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin. It is a wonderful piece of children’s literature about a cool cat who doesn’t let little things get him down. The story is predictable and uses song and early decoding so that the young children are able to follow along. The excitement was contagious as staff prepared for a full week of activities and thematic learning. The hallways, cafeteria and the staff itself were decorated and dressed in Pete the Cat gear.

Once again, the Joe Barnhart Foundation needs to be thanked for enriching the lives of students in Beeville. Without their assistance, this incredible week would not have been achieved.